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I CATECHISM No. 1; 



TVITH OTHER 



Lessons for Young People 



HISTORY, DOCTRINES, AND USAGES ■ 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 

Including the Ten Commandments, the 

Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, the 

Apostles' Creed, etc., etc 



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CATECHISM No.l; 



WITH OTHER 

-" 




Lessons for Young ramlE 



HISTORY, DOCTRINES, AND USAGES 



J 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 



Including the Ten Commandments, the Beat- 
itudes, the Lord's Prayer, the Apos- 



,A 



ties' Creed, etc., etc. 



KEW YORK: 
PHlLLlJrS & HUXT, 

CINCIXXATI: 
CRAXSTOy & STOWE, 

1SS4. 









Copyright 18S4, by 

PHILLIPS & HUNT, 

New York. 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 031692 



THE CATECHISM. 



The undersigned, appointed by the Book Committee 
to examine the Catechism to be revised, according to 
the vote of the last General Conference, by the Editor 
of Sunday-school Books, hereby report that we have, 
to the best of our ability, performed the duties assigned 
us. The manuscript submitted by the Editor of Sun- 
day-school Books was carefully considered, and, after 
mature reflection, we do not hesitate to approve of it, 
and recommend it for general use in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church E. HEDDIXG-, 

BT. BANGS, 
S. OLIN, 
New York, April IS, 1851. J. HOLDICH. 



ACTION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE. 

This Catechism, and also Catechism Xo. 2, and speci- 
mens of Xo. 3. having been submitted for examination 
to the General Conference held in Boston, May, 1852, 
the same were referred to a select committee, com- 
posed of Revs. Elias Bowen, G-eorge Webber, and 
John EL Power. 

After a careful examination, the Committee reported 
in favor of the plan and execution of the Catechisms 
submitted; whereupon the Conference unanimously 
adopted the report of the Committee, and ordered the 
immediate, publication of Xos. 1 and 2, and the comple- 
tion and issue of Xo. 3 on the plan proposed. 



OUTLINE OF TOPICS. 



P>GB 

I. God 7 

§ 1 . His Nature and Attributes 7 

§ 2. The Persons of God 8 

II. Of Creation 9 

§ 1. The World. . . , 9 

§ 2. Man 9 

III. Man's Fall and Sinful State 10 

§ 1. Sin 10 

§ 2. Guilt Prevalence, and Consequences of Sin 10 

IY. Saltation 11 

§ 1. The Source and Grounds of Salvation, viz. : The 
Love of God in Christ and Redemption through 

Christ 11 

§ 2. Conditions of Salvation 12 

§ 3. The Fruits and Extent of Salvation 13 

V. The Means of Geace 14 

§ 1. The Church and Ministry 14 

§ 2. The Sacraments 15 

(1) Bttptism 16 

(2) The Lord's Supper 16 

§ 3. The Word of God and Prayer 17 

VL God's Law 18 

Duties to God and Man IS 

TIL Of Death, Judgment, and Eternity 21 

Appendix 23 

The Beatitudes 23 

The Lord's Prayer 23 

The Ten Commandments 24 

The Apostles' Creed 25 

Baptismal Covenant 25 

General Confession , 26 

Examples of Prayer for the Young 27 

The Ten Doctrines of Grace 30 

The Ten Points of Church Economy 81 



THE CATECHISM. 



I. GOD. 
§ 1. His Nature and Attributes. 

1. Who made you ? 
God. 

2. Who is God? 

The Creator of all things. 

3. What is God? 

An uncreated Spirit. 

4. Where is God f 
God is every-where. 

5. What does God know ? 

God is all- wise ; he knoweth all things, even 
the thoughts of our hearts. — l John iii, 20. 

6. What can God do f 

God is almighty; he doeth whatsoever he 
will. 

7. How long has God existed ? 

God is eternal ; he has lived always, and will 
live forever. 



8 CATECHISM. 

8. What is the character of God f 
" God is love." — 1 John It, 8. 

9. Is God holy ? 

God is holy ; lie hateth all workers of iniquity. 

[— Psa. v, 5. 

10. Is God merciful? 

".The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to 
anger, and plenteous in mercy." — Psa. ciii, 8. 

11. Is God just ? 

The Lord is just, rewarding the righteous 
and punishing the wicked. 

12. Is God true? 

He is "the God of truth." — isa. lxv, 16. He 
i ' cannot lie. " — Titus 1,2. 

§ 2. The Persons of God. 

13. Are there more Gods than one? 

"There is none other God but one." — 

[1 Cor. viii, 4. 

14. Are there more persons in the Godhead than one ? 
There are three persons in the Godhead : the 

Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; and these 
three are one. — l John v, 7. 

15. Is the Father God? 

" To us there is but one God, the Father."— 

[1 Cor. viii, 6. 

16. Is the Son God? 

Christ "is overall, God blessed forever." 
He is the true God. — Rom. ix, 5; 1 John v, 20. 






CATECHISM. 9 

17. Is the Holy Ghost God? 

The Holy Ghost is "the Eternal Spirit."— 

LHeb. ix, 14. 
*18. In what name are Christians baptized? 

In the name of the Holy Trinity — the Father, 
the Son, and the Holy Ghost. — Matt, xxviii, 19. 



II. OF CREATION. 

§ 1. The World. 

19. Can you repeat the first verse of the Bible f 
"In the beginning God created the heaven 

and the earth." — Gen. i, l. 

20. Does God preserve all things which he has mads f 
He upholdeth all things by the word of his 

power. — Heb. i, 3. 

§ 2. Man. 

21. Of what did God make mart's body ? 

" Of the dust of the ground." — Gen. ii, 7. 

22. How did God make mail's soul t 

God ' ' breathed into his nostrils the breath 
of life, and man became a living soul." — Gen. ii, 7, 

23. How did the soul and body differ f 

The body is material and mortal, the soul is 
spiritual and immortal. 

24. Was man created good ? 

He was; God created man in his own image. 

[—Gen. i, 27 f 

25. In what did this image of God consist f 

t'ln righteousness and true holiness." — Eph ? 

[iv.24 f 



10 CATECHISM. 

26. What authority was given to man at the creation ? 
God gave him dominion over every living 

thing. — Gen. i, 28. 

27. Where did God place our first parents? 
In the garden of Eden. — Gen. ii, 8. 

28. What law was given them f 

The law of perfect obedience. — Gen. ii, 16, 17. 



III. MAN'S FALL AND SINFUL STATE. 

§ 1. Sin. 

29. Did our first parents continue holy and happy ? 
They sinned against God, and fell into mis- 
ery. — Gen. iii, 6. 

30. What is sin ? 

Any transgression of the law of God. — l John 

[iii, 4. 

31. What was the sin of our first parents f 
Their eating of the forbidden fruit. 

32. By wlwm were they tempted to sin f 

By the devil in the form of a serpent. — Gen. 

[iii, 13 ; Kev. xx, 2. 

§ 2. Guilt, Prevalence, and Consequences of Sin. 

33. What evil did their sin bring upon them f 
They lost the image of God, were driven out 

of Eden, and became subject to pain and death. 

34. Did their sin harm any besides themselves f 

" By the offense of one, judgment came upon 
all men to condemnation." — Rom. v, 18. 



CATECHISM. 11 

35. In what state are mankind lorn ? 

In the image of fallen Adam, destitute of 
original righteousness. — Gen. v. 3. 

36. What are the miseries of this condition f 

All mankind being born in sin, are by nature 
under the wrath of God. 



IV. SALVATION. 

§ 1. The Source and Grounds of Salvation, viz. : 
The Love of God in Christ and Redemption 
through Christ. 

37. Did God leave mankind in sin and misery? 
Xo: "God so loved the world, that he gave 

his only begotten Son. that whosoever believeth 
in him should not perish, but have everlasting 
life." — John Hi, 16. 

38. What did the Son 0/ God do to save sinners? 

He became man. lived, suffered, died, and 
rose again. 

39. How did Tie become man J 

Christ, though God. took upon him the form 
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of 
man. having a human body and soul. 

40. What example does Christ's life afford us? 

An example of perfect goodness and holi- 
ness. 

41. What did Christ suffer* for us? 

" He humbled himself and became obedient 
unto death, even the death of the cross.'' — PMl. B, 8. 



12 CATECHISM. 

42. Why did Christ thus suffer and die t 

To offer to divine justice full atonement for 
the sins of the world. 

43. Hoio are we "benefited by Christ's resurrection f 
He rose for our justification, and ascended to 

the right hand of God, where he ever liveth to 
make intercession for us. — Kom. iv, 25; Epb. i, 20; 'Col. 

[iii, 1 ; Heb. vii, 25. 

44. Did Christ make this atonement for all mankind ? 

By the grace of God he tasted death for every 
man. — Heb. n, 9. 

§ 2. Conditions of Salvation. 

45. Will all men therefore be saved f 

No ; " The wicked shall be turned into hell, 
and all the nations that forget God.'-' — Psa. ix, 17. 

46. Will those be saved who die in childhood before 

they know good and evil? 
They will ; for Jesus said, ' ' Of such is the 
kingdom of heaven." — Matt, xix, 14. 

47. On what terms are those saved who know good 

from evil f 
On condition of "repentance toward God and 
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." — Acts xx, 21. 

48. What is repentance f 

A godly sorrow on account of sin. — 2 Cor. vii, 10. 

49. How is true repentance indicated f 

By the forsaking of sin and a sincere turning 
to God. - 



CATECHISM. 13 

50. What is faith in Jesus Christ f 

Faith in Jesus Christ is the act of receiving 
and trusting in him alone for salvation. — John i, 12; 

[Phil.iii,9. 

5 1 . Can we repent and believe of ourselves ? 

No ; the power to repent and believe is given 
US of God, — Eph. ii, 8 ; Rom. xi, 29. ' 

52. How can we know when we believe in Jesus 

Christ? 
1 l He that believeth on the Son of God hath 
the witness in himself." — l John v, m 

53. What witness is this f 

u The Spirit itself beareth witness with our 
spirit, that we are the children of God." — Rom. 

[viii, 16. 

§ 3. The Fruits and Extent of Salvation. 

54. What fruits doth this faith produce f 

Justification, regeneration, sanctification. — 
[Eom. v, 1 ; John i, 12, 13 ; Gal. ii, 16 ; 2 Thess. ii, 13. 

55. What is justification ? 

Justification is that act of God's free grace 

in which he pardons our sins and accepts us as 

righteous in his sight for the sake of Christ. — 

[Eph.i,7; 2 Cor. v, 21 ; Rom. iii, 24 ; v, 19. 

56. What is regeneration f 

It is the new birth of the soul in the image 
of Christ, whereby we become the children of 
God. — Eph. i. 5 ; John i, 12, 13 ; iii, 3 ; Eph. iv, 24 ; 1 John iii, 2. 



14 CATECHISM. 

57. What is sanctification f 

Sanctifi cation is. that act of divine grace 
whereby we are made holy. — l Tbess. v. 23 ; Eph. i, 4 ; 

[Col. i, 22 ; Heb. xiii, 12. 
5 8. May every believer de wholly sanctified in this 
life? ' 
Yes ; God's command is, " Be ye holy, for 
I am holy ; " and his promise is, that "if we con- 
fess our sins" he will ;i cleanse us from all un- 
righteousness. " — 1 Pet. i, 16 ; 1 Thess. iv, 3 ; 1 John i, 9. 

59. What is implied in being a perfect Christian, or 

in oeing wholly sanctified f 
Loving God with all our heart and soul, mind 
and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. 

60. Is it possible for a justified or a sanctified Chris- 

tian to fall from grace and perish? 
It is ; for even the apostle Paul feared lest, 
after having preached to others, he himself should 
be a castaway. — l Cor.ix,27. 

61. How shall we guard against the danger of fall- 

ing from grace t 
By watchfulness, prayer, and a life of faith 
in the Son of God. 



V. THE MEANS OF GRACE. 

§ 1. The Church and Ministry. 
62. What are the principal means of grace f 

The Church, the sacraments, the word of 
God, and prayer. 



CATECHISM. 15 

63. In ichat two forms does the Church of God exist? 
The visible and the invisible. 

64. What is the visible Church f 

The visible Church of Christ is a congrega- 
tion of faithful men, in which the pure word of 
God is preached and the sacraments duly admin- 
istered according to Christ's ordinance. — Acts ii, 42; 

[Matt, xvi, IS; Eph. v, 27. 

65. What is the invisible Church ? 

The whole body of God's true people in every 
period of time. 

QQ. Ought not all persons where the Gospel is preached 
to become believers in Christ and members of 
the Church? 
They ought ; in order to have a visible union 
with Christ, the Head of the Church, and com- 
munion with his people. — Eph. v, 23; John xvii, 21; 

LI Cor. xii, 20. 

67. Who are to preach the icord of God and admin- 

ister the sacraments ? 

Faithful men, called of God and set apart by 
the Church to the office and work of the ministry. 

[— Heb. v, 4; Acts xiii, 2, 3; 1 Tim. iv, 14. 

§ 2. The Sacraments. 

68. How many sacraments has Christ ordained in 

his Church? 

Two ; Baptism and the Lord's Supper. — 
[Matt, xxviii, 19 ; 1 Cor. xi, 28-26. 



16 CATECHISM. 

69. What is a sacrament ? 

An outward and visible sign of an inward 
and spiritual grace. 

(1.) Baptism. 

70. What is the outward sign in baptism f 
Water, applied in the name of the Father, 

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. — John hi, 5; 

[Matt, xxviii, 19. 

71. What is the inward grace signified in baptism f 
A death unto sin and a new birth unto right- 
eousness. 

72. What advantages are secured to baptized persons ? 
They are admitted to the visible Church of 

Christ, their relation to him as the Mediator of 
the new covenant, and their title to the spiritual 
blessings thereto belonging, are solemnly con- 
firmed. 

(2.) The Lord's Supper. 

73. Why was the sacrament of the LorcVs Suppw 

ordained f 
For the continual remembrance of the sacri- 
fice of Christ's death, and of the benefits that we 
thereby receive. — 1 Cor. xi, 23-26. 

74. What is the outward sign of the LoroVs Supper? 
Bread and wine, received according to 
Christ's command. 

75. What is the inward grace of this sawammt f 
The communion of the body and blood of 

Christ, whereby we are reminded of his sacrificial 



CATECHISM. 17 

death, and spiritually strengthened to do his 
will. 

§ 3. The Word of God and Prayer. 

76. Whence do we derive all correct hwicledge of 

religious truth and duty ? 
From the Holy Bible. 

77. What is the Bible f 

It is the revelation of divine truth, and the 
record of God's will. 

78. What U the only sufficient rule of a Christian s 

faith and practice f 
The word of God, as contained in the Script- 
ures of the Old and New Testaments. 

79. How should we use the Scriptures? 

We should seriously and diligently study 
God's holy word with prayer, that we may un- 
derstand, believe, and practice the same. — 

John v, 39. 

80. What is prayer f 

Prayer is the offering up of our desires unto 
God in the name of Christ. 

81. With what should prayer be alicays accom- 

panied! 
With humble confession of sin, with hearty 
thanksgiving for God's mercies, and sincere 
faith in his promises. 

82. Where should ice offer up our prayers f 
Publicly in the house of God, and privately 

in our families and in our closets. 



18 CATECHISM. 

83. What special example of prayer is given us in 

Scripture f 
The Lord's prayer. 

84. Can you repeat the Lord's prayer ? 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be 
done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this 
day our daily bread ; and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive them that trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation; but de- 
liver us from evil ; for thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 



VI. GOD'S LAW. 
Duties to God and Man. 

85. What does God require of man f 
Obedience to his revealed will. 

86. What is the rule of our obedience t 
The moral law. 

87. Where is the moral law given ? 

In the ten commandments. — Exod. xx. 

88. What is the first commandment f 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

89. What is the second commandment f 

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven 
image, or any likeness of any thing that is in 
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or 



CATECHISM. 19 

that is in the water under the earth : thou shalt 
not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them : 
for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visit- 
ing the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 
unto the third or fourth generation of them that 
hate me ; and showing mercy unto thousands of 
them that love me, and keep my commandments. 

90. What is the third commandment f 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord 
thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him 
guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 

91. What is the fourth commandment f 
Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy. 

Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : 
but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord 
thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, 
nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, 
nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy 
stranger that is within thy gates : for in six days 
the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all 
that in them is, and rested the seventh day: 
wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and 
hallowed it. 

92. What is the fifth commandment f 

Honor thy father and thy mother : that thy 
days may be long upon the land which the Lord 
thy God giveth thee. 

93. What is tlie sixth commandment f 
Thou shalt not kill ? 



20 CATECHISM. 

94. What is the seventh commandment ? 
Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

95. What is the eighth commandment t 
Thou shalt not steal. 

96. What is the ninth commandment? 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
neighbor. 

97. What is the tenth commandment f 
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, 

thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his 
man-servant, nor his maid- servant, nor his ox, 
nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's. 

98. What is our Saviour's summary of GocVs com- 

mandments f 
He said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, 
and with all thy mind. This is the first and 
great commandment. And the second is like 
unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 
On these two commandments hang all the law 
and the prophets." — Matt, xxii, 37-40. 

99. Hoio does our Saviour explain the command- 

ments f 
He teaches that they not only forbid sin 
in act, but in thought. — Matt, v, 21, 22, 27, 23. 

100. What is our LoroVs precept, commonly called 

the golden ride f 

" Whatsoever ye would that men should do 
to you, do ye even so to them." — Matt, vii, 12. 



CATECHISM. 21 

101. Can any man be saved by keeping the law ? 
No ; u By the deeds of the law shall no flesh 

be justified." — Bom. m, 20. 

102. What then is the use of the law f 

It serves to show men their need of Christ; 

"For by the law is the knowledge of sin." — 

[Rom. iii, 20; Gal. iii, 19. 

103. Are all Christians under obligation to keep the 

law f 
Yes ; they are i l not without law to God, but 
under the law to Christ." — l Cor. ix, 21. 



VII. OF DEATH, JUDGMENT, AND ETERNITY. 

104. Do we remain long in this world f 

ISTo ; life is short and uncertain, and we all 
must die. — Job xiv, 10. 

105. Is it not a fearful thing to die? 
It is to all but true Christians. 

106. Why should not true Christians fear to die? 
Because the sting of death is removed, and 

they know that they shall go to heaven. 

107. How long will the bodies of men lie in the 

grave f 
Until the last day, when Christ shall come 
to raise the dead for judgment. 

108. Will all the dead be raised f 

i l There shall be a resurrection of the dead, 

both Of the just and Unjust." — Acts xxiv, 15 ; John 

[v. 23, 29. 



22 CATECHISM. 

109. Will all the men oe judged at the last day f 

1 ' We must all appear before the judgment- 
seat of Christ; that every one may receive the 
things done in his body, according to that he 
hath done, whether it be good or bad." — 2 Cor. v,lo. 

110. What sentence will Christ pronounce on the 

wicked f 
"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlast- 
ing fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." — 

[Matt, xxv, 41. 

111. What will he say to the righteous ? 

" Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit 
the kingdom prepared for you from the founda- 
tion of the world." — Matt, xxv, 34. 

112. What will then take place? 

" The world shall be destroyed by fire ; and 
the wicked shall go away into everlasting pun- 
ishment, but the righteous into life eternal." — 

[Matt, xxv, 46 ; 2 Pet iii, 10. 



APPENDIX. 



[TO COMMIT TO MEMORY.] 



THE BEATITUDES. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be com- 
forted. 

Blessed are the meek: for thy shall inherit the 
earth. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after 
righteousness : for they shall be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain 
mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see 
God. 

Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be 
called the children of G-od. 

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteous- 
ness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. — 

[Matt, v, 3-10. 

THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth 
as it is in heaven. Give us this dav our daily bread : 



24 CATECHISM. 

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that 
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; 
but deliver us from evil ; for thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, 
or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 
or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water 
under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to 
them nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a 
jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon 
the children unto the third and fourth generation of 
them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thou- 
sands of them that love me, and keep my command- 
ments. 

III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy 
God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltless 
that taketh his name in vain. 

IV. Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy. 
Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : but 
the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God : 
in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, 
nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-serv- 
ant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within 
thy gates : for in six days the Lord made heaven and 
earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the 
seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath- 
day, and hallowed it. 

V. Honor thy father and thy mother : that thy days 
may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God 
giveth. thee. 



CATECHISM. 2o 

VI. Thou sbalt not kill. 

Til. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

VIII. Thou shalt not steal. 

IX. Thou shalt not bear false wituess against thy 
neighbor. 

X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou 
shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-serv- 
ant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, 
nor any thing that is thy neighbor's. 

THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of 
heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son 
our Lord ; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born 
of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate ; was 
crucified, dead, and buried ; the third day he rose from 
the dead ; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the 
right hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence 
he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic 
Church,* the communion of saints; the forgiveness 
of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life 
everlasting. Amen. 

BAPTISMAL COVENANT, 

I renounce the devil and all his works, the vain 
pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires 
of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so 
that I will not follow nor be led by them. 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of 

*By the Holy Catholic Church is meant the Church of God in 
general. 



26 CATECHISM. 

heaven and earth ; and in Jesus Christ his only Son 
our Lord ; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born 
of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate ; 
was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose 
from the dead ; he ascended into heaven, and sittet-h 
on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from 
thence h^ shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic 
Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness 
of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life 
everlasting. Amen. 

Having been baptized in this faith, I will obediently 
keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in 
the same all the days of my life, God being my helper. 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 

In the administration of the Lord's Supper, after the 
Invitation is read, the Ritual says: 

Then shall this general Confession he made by the Min- 
ister in the name of all those vjho are minded to receive 
the holy communion, both he and all the people devoutly 
kneeling \ and saying : 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Maker of all things, Judge of all men: we acknowledge 
and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which 
we from time to time most grievously have committed, 
by thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majes- 
ty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation 
against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily 
sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of 
them is grievous unto us. Have mercy upon us, have 



CATECHISM. 27 

mercy upon us, most merciful Father ; for thy Son. our 
Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; 
aDd grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please 
thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy 
name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 



EXAMPLES OF PRAYER FOR THE YOUNG. 

Morning Prayer. 

Almighty God, my heavenly Father, I thank thee 
that thou hast taken care of me the past night, and 
that I am alive and well this morning. Save me, 
God, from evil all this day; and may I love and serve 
thee always. Bestow on me, T pray thee, every good 
thing which I need for my body and soul : assist me 
by thy Holy Spirit to do thy will : make me alwavs 
afraid to offend thee, and let me live in thy fear and 
die in thy favor, and at last be saved in heaven, for 
Christ's sake. Amen. 

Evening Prayer. 

Lord God, who knowest all things, thou seest me 
by night as well as by day. I pray thee, for Christ's 
sake, forgive me whatever I have done amiss this day, 
and keep me safe all night. Bless, I beseech thee, all 
my friends; * do good to them at all times and in all 
places, and help me always to serve them in love. 
And when I have done thy will here, by thy grace 
assisting me, may I be fully prepared for death and 
the world to come, through Christ my blessed Saviour 
and Redeemer. Amen. 

♦Here mention father and mother and others. 



28 CATECHISM. 

Morning Prayer. 

Lord, I give thee thanks, that thou hast kept trie 
during the night, and brought me to see another morn- 
ing. Help me to pass this day in thy fear, and to re- 
member that thine eye is always upon me ; that thou 
nearest all I say, seest all I do, and knowest all that 
is in my thoughts. I confess before thee, God, that 
I am a sinful creature. I have often been foolish and 
disobedient, and I deserve to be punished for my sins. 
But thou, Lord, art merciful ; thou hast promised par- 
don to those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. 
Be merciful to me, I pray thee, and pardon my trans- 
gressions. Give me true and deep repentance for my 
sins, and cause me to hate every evil way. Create in 
me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. 
Help me to believe, with my whole heart, in Jesus 
Christ, and to commit my soul to thy mercy through 
him. righteous Father, grant me thy Holy Spirit to 
dwell within me. May he instruct, sanctify, and pre- 
serve me to the kingdom of Jesus ! Be thou gracious to 
all my friends and enemies, and have mercy on all those 
who are dead in sin, and save them with me and with all 
for whom I should pray, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

Evening Prayer. 

God, I bow down before thee, and would lift up my 
soul in thanksgiving for all the favors of another day. 
I implore thy tender mercies in the forgiveness of all 
my sins of thought, word, or deed, since the morning. 
Pardon me. Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who 
died upon the cross for sinners, and adopt me into thy 
family as one of thy children. May thy Spirit be 
poured down upon me I May he shed thy love abroad 



CATECHISM. 29 

in my heart, and fill my mind with all good thoughts ! 
May he teach me to love thy word, thy people, and thy 
house! May he help me to honor my parents, my 
minister, and my teachers, and to profit from their 
instructions! May he make me wise unto salvation, 
and prepare me for eternity ! If I die young, may I 
be found ready, being washed from my sins in Jesus' 
blood! I ask the same mercies for all my friends. 
Watch over us during this night. Preserve and bless 
us, and let no evil come near our dwelling. May we 
be refreshed by rest, and awake in the morning to thy 
service! Grant likewise, blessed Lord, that when 
days and nights with us have ended, we may sleep in 
Jesus, and awake in the morning of the resurrection, 
to join the redsemed of the Lord, and spend an eter- 
nal day in thy presence, service, and praise, for his 
sake ! Amen. 

Morning Prayer for the Lord's Day. 
To be added to the usual Morning Prayer. 

Suffer me not, Lord, to waste this thy day in sin 
and folly; but let me worship thee with much delight. 
May I love thy word and thy house. Teach me to 
know more of thee, and to serve thee better than I 
have ever done before. To this end may I love my 
Sabbath-school, and diligently improve all my oppor- 
tunities to become wise unto salvation. Enable me, 
Lord, to seek thee while thou may est be found, and 
to call upon thee while thou art near. Thus, my Fa- 
ther in heaven, may I be fitted, through the merits and 
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, to reign with thee in 
thy blessed kingdom, and to thy great name shall be 
the glory, world without end. Amen. 



80 CATECHISM. 

Evening Prayer for the Lord's Day. 

To be added to the usual Evening Prayer. 
most gractous God, let me never forget the many- 
good things that I have heard this day; but let them 
abide in my heart so that I may amend my life, and 
be able to give a good account of all my privileges at 
the judgment of the great day. May I have a heart 
to pity the many heathen that have no Sabbath, and 
a disposition to labor and pray that the Gospel may 
be preached to all the world. Finally, when time 
shall end, may I be admitted to the Sabbath of rest in 
heaven, and give glory to the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost forever. Amen. 

A Short Prayer on Retiring to Rest. 
Now I lay me down to' sleep, 
I pray the Lord my soul to keep, 
And if I die before I wake, 
I pray the Lord my soul to take. 

THE TEN DOCTRINES OF GRACE. 

I. I believe that all men are sinners. 

IT. I believe that God the Father loves all men and 
hates all sin. 

III. I believe that Jesus Christ died for all men to 
make possible their salvation from sin, and to make 
sure the salvation of all who believe in him. 

IY. I believe that the Holy Spirit is given to all 
men to enlighten and to incline them to repent of their 
sins and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

T. I believe that all who repent of their sins and 
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ receive the forgiveness 
of sin. [This is justification.] 



CATECHISM. 31 

VL I believe that all who receive the forgiveness of 
sin are at the same time made new creatures in Christ 
Jesus. [This is regeneration.] 

VIL I believe that all who are made new creatures 
in Christ Jesus are accepted as the children of God. 
[This is adoption] 

YIIL I believe that all who are accepted as the 
children of God may receive the inward assurance of 
the Holy Spirit to that fact. [This is the witness of 
the Spirit] 

IX. I believe that all who truly desire and seek it, 
may love God with all their heart and soul, mind and 
strength, and their neighbors as themselves. [This is 
entire sanctification.] 

X. I believe that all who persevere to the end, 
and only those, shall be saved in heaven forever. 
[This is the true final perseverance.] 

THE TEN POINTS OF CHURCH ECONOMY. 

I. All who belong to the kingdom of heaven on 
earth are members of the Holy Catholic Church. 

II. The Holy Catholic Church has many outward 
branches or denominations. 

III. One branch of the Holy Catholic Church is the 
Methodist Episcopal, which was organized in 17S4; 
and is, in doctrine, usages, and spirit, in harmony with 
the apostolic Church. 

IY. There are in the Methodist Episcopal Church 
two sacraments : Baptism and the. Lord's Supper; 

Y. Four classes of members and candidates for mem- 
bership: Sunday-school scholars, persons baptized in 
infancy, probationers, and full members j 



32 CATECHISM. 

VI. Ten classes of officers: Bishops, presiding elders, 
elders, deacons, local preachers, exhorters, class- lead- 
ers, stewards, San day -school superintendents, and 
trustees ; 

VII. Five principal organizations : the General, An- 
nual, District, and Quarterly Conferences, and the 
Leaders and Stewards' Meeting; 

VIII. Three peculiarities: the itinerancy, the love- 
feast, and the class-meeting; 

IX. Eight benevolent societies: Missionary, Sunday- 
School Union, Tract, Church Extension, Ereedmens 
Aid, Education, Woman's Foreign Missionary, and 
Woman's Home Missionary. 

X. The promise made by parents at the baptism of 
their children is as follows: the child to be baptized 
'■' shall read the Holy Scriptures and learn the Lord's 
Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, 
the Catechism, and all other things which a Christian 
ought to know and believe to his soul's health." 




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T R ACTS- 

"Oui^ Own (§hui^gh Series." 

By J. H. VINCENT, XXD. 

Nine Tracts, in Beautiful Covers, Printed in Colors. 

Price for the Set, 36 Cents. 

A series of beautiful tracts, charmingly written, tastily got- 
ten up, compacted with most precious spiritual thoughts for 

your.g Christians. 

No. 1. THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
Mo. 2. r i'±iE ANTIQUITY OF METHODISM 
No. 3. THAT "EPISCOPAL CHURCH." 
]STo. 4. THE CHURCH AMD THE WORLD. 
No. 5. BROAD AMD NARROW. 
Mo. 6. THE CLASSMATES 7 MEETING-. 
Mo. 7. OLE SETTLED ITINERANCY. 
Mo. 8. EARMEST CHRISTIANS. 
No. 9. TRUE CHURCH LOYALTY. 

Y\"e are more than pleased with the charming tracts on Our 
Oxen Chuirh. by Dr. John H. Vincent. They cover the 
spirit, the polity, the needs of our Church life in a masterly 
way. They are admirably fitted to put into the hands of pro- 
bationers, or those who may wish to know why we are what 
we are. We have long known that our doctrines and disci- 
pline command respect wherever they are intelligently and 
candidly studied. Prejudice survive.-, "even where our place 
and influence are secure. — The Christian Advocate. 

A minister writes: "I thank the author in behalf of every 
body who loves Methodism. You will hear from this series 
away off yonder in eternity/' 

Bishop Mallalieu writes: ''Accept my unspeakable and un- 
writable thanks for that series of tracts." Thank God they are 
written and published." 1 

Every Church ought to provide these as a choice gift to pro- 
bationers on the day of reception. Then they would come 
into the Church in full membership more thoughtful and bet- 
ter prepared for its responsibilities and privileges. Most heart- 
ily do we commend these choice and charming tracts. — Bound 
Lake Journal. 

The Eev. George E. Hair, Presiding Eider on Eed River 
District, Minnesota Conference, writes: kt Allow me to speak 
in the highest possible terms of your tracts, '• Our Own Church 
Series.' 1 as the most timely, sprightly, pointed, and truthful of 
their kind that have come from our press. They are emi- 
nently adapted to this great and growing North-west.' 1 



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